Wire-fabric machine.



F. E. WILLITS. WIRE FABRIC MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 23, 1911.

n- .wieR/s PETERS co F'HC/lu LITHO.. wasmrm roN. D. c

. Patented Dec. 22, 1914.

11 SHEETSSHEET 1.

lime/1Z0);

P. E. WILLITS.

WIRE FABRIC MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.23,1911.

1, 1 21 ,784. Patented Dec. 22, 1914.

11 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

E Illll I I ill"! 1 I g Q 0 l'lmelnw', J'ZE. Wiidi);

F. B. WILLITS.

WIRE FABRIG MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 23, 1911.

1, 1 21 .784 Patented Dec. 22, 1914.

11 SHEETS-SERBIA Ydjfrreases THE NORRIS PETERS C0. PHDTO-LITHQ. WASHINGTON n r F. E. WILLITS.

WIRE FABRIC MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 22, 1911.

1,121,784. v Patented Dec.22, 1914.

11 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Zdz'hiwses:

lbw/liar,-

THE NORRIS PETERS 60.. FHOTO-LITHQ, WASHINGTON. D. c

- F. E. WILLITS.

WIRE FABRIC MACHINE.

APPLICATION IILED MAR. 23. 1911.

11 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

Q N e ZsZIIIIQlIIIMZV N N m a $3 11*] Q E a q 7' 7" 5 w if Patented Dec. 22, 1914.

F. E. WILLITS.

WIRE FABRIC MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 23, 1911.

1,121,784. Patented Dec.22,1914.

11 SHEETB-SHEET 6.

THE NORRIS PETERS OO-v FHOIOLJTHIL. WASHINCJON. 0-

F. E. WILLITS.

WIRE FABRIC 1110111112.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 23, 1911.

Patented Dec. 22, 1914.

11 SHEETSSHEET 7.

THE NORRIS PETERS CQ. FHOTO-LITHQ, WASHINGTON, D. L

F. E. WILLITS.

WIRE FABRIC MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 23, 1911.

Patented 1160.22, 1914.

11 SHEETS'SHEET 8.

[five/I101; FE 2493 2224,

wf zessea: I

THE NORRIS PETERS CO" FHOTO-LITHO., WASHINGTON. D. C,

F. B. WILLITS.

WIRE FABRIC MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 23, 1911. 1,1 21,784. Patented Dec. 22, 1914.

11 SHEETSSHEET 9.

Dave/liar;

F. E. WILLITS.

- WIRE FABRIC MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 22, 1911.

1,121,784. Patented Dec.22,1914.

11 SHEET$-BHEET 10.

lg; I, 4 i fix 1 5/ v 52 La 57 FL 5/ 5 7 62 i 2 I '55 I 55 78 73 i 82 73 63 74 7 h 75 l /5 w l -m:

&9 67

Invenlo); ll/lfliesses: FE W/ZZZILZJ, 55W WfifiL/W THE NORRIS PETERS CO" PH'DT'O'LITHO-I WASHINGTON, D1 C P. E. WILLITS;

WIRE FABRIC MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 23, 1911.

iii

IiliIll :1 1%

flln sss:

UNTTED b TATEg PATENT @FFTUE.

FREDERICK E. WILLITS, OF KANSAS CITY, MIS$OURL ASSIGNOR 'IO WIRE FABRIC MACHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI.

WIRE-FABRIC MACHINE.

Application filed March 23, 1911.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known. that I, FREDERICK E. lVILLrrs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in WVire- Fabric Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of wire fabric machines which form a complete fabric or fence, ready to be secured bodily to the posts.

My object is to provide means for automatically drawing a stay-wire across the strand or warp wires at every stroke of a traversing carriage, thereby avoiding idle strokes, as in a prior machine of my inven tion; to provide two such double-acting carriages in one machine whereby two staywires will be positioned simultaneously; to provide improved devices for holding and feeding the wires during operation; im-.

proved mechanism for automatically feeding the staple-forming wire to the stapleforming dies; and generally, to provide a rapid, reliable, self contained mechanism for making wire fences, including the making of the ties for tying the wire crossings.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the invention: Figure 1 is an elevation of the end of the machine at which the strand-wires are fed out. Fig. is an elevation of the opposite end, that at which the strand wires are led in. Fig. 3 is a plan view omitting parts of the driving mechanism, showing fabric wires by dotted lines. Fig. 1 is an irregular vertical section of the machine, partly broken away, indicating a'strand wire by the dotted line. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section through the main shaft with one of the cable drive mechanisms in elevation. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the machine, partly broken away. Fig. 7 is a vertical section on line VII of Fig. 1, illustrating the fabric-feeding mechanism. Fig. 8 is a vertical section on line VIII-V1TI of Fig. 9, showing parts of the stay-wire mechanism. Fig. 9 is a horizontal section on line IXIX of Fig. 8, showing one of the stay-wire carriages with tractors, two of the stay-wire guides, and several of the lower dies. Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional detail view of two adjacent pairs of auxiliary stay-wire holders, also one wire guide in elevation and one in Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 22, 1914.

Serial No. 616,497.

section. Fig. .11 is a detail view in horizontal section on line XIXI of Fig. 12, of one of the stay-wire ball clutches, with wire in position. Fig. 12 is a vertical section on line XTI-XII of Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a vertical longitudinal section of one of the stay-wire guides and associated elements. Fig. 14. is a vertical sectional view of one of the staple wire feeding and staple forming devices. Fig. 15 is a horizontal section on line XVXV of Fig. 14-. Fig. 16 is a vertical section on line XVIXVT of F ig. 14:. Fig. 17 is a sectional detail view of three of the die-block adjusting screws.

The frame consists chiefly of the side castings 1, the bed plate 3, and the upper crosspiece 2, connecting the members 1.. Other transverse frame members, (see Fig. i) are designated 41, and 6 designates slotted guide bars hereinafter referred to.

The stayovires, marked 7, are led to the machine from four reels (not shown) at opposite sides thereof, and each wire is led through a clutching device 9 and a guide, designated as a whole 10. The tractors which draw the stay-wires into position are mounted upon two carriages 12, which are supported by slotted guide bars 6 and are reciprocated by an endless cable 13 which is driven alternately in opposite directions by mechanism to be described, referring to Figs. 2, 3, 1 and 5.

14 is the prime shaft which may be driven in any suitable manner, and carries a pinion 15 that drives a gear 16 fixed on the main shaft 17. Fixedly mounted on shaft 17 near each end is a clutch member 18, close to which is a fixedly mounted pinion 19. Between the gear 16 and the pinions 19 are two keyed cams 20, and adjacent the gear 16 is an eccentric 21. The ends of the shaft 17 are provided with eccentrics 22, which actuate the stapling mechanism through rods 23 connected to a rising and falling bar 2 1. Loosely mounted on shaft 14 and meshing with the respective pinions 19 are two cam-gears 25, each of which has a camrise 26 on its outer face. Each cam actuates a clutch lever 27, pivoted at 28, and provided with a cam-roller 29, which is urged toward the cam wheel by a spring 80. Mounted on' each clutch member 18 is a companion annular clutch member 31, having an annular groove in which is seated a shipper ring 32 which is pivotally connected at 33 to a yoke 33' carried by lever 27. This clutch member 31 forms the hub of a cable sheave 3%, which does half of the driving of the cable 13. \Vhen either cam roller is free of its cam 26, its connected clutch is open; the action of the cam being to close the clutch. The cams are so timed as to alternately open and close the two clutches, whereby each sheave will be rotated during the time the roller is engaged by the cam, and will be idle during the remainder of the revolution of the cam. Thus the two sheaves 34: will be driven alternately, thereby imparting reversing movements to the cable 13. The carriages 12, being clamped to the cable, will thus be reciprocated across the machine, crossing each other at each stroke, and will stop at each end of their travel, for the reason just stated.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 4t: 37 is a casting having two depending U-shaped extensions 38, in the end of each of which is a slide 39, working between gibs or wearplates 40 in a guide block 11. The extensions 38 are bifurcated, and carry therein two cam-rollers 20 which rest upon the cams 20, of which the shaft 17 may be a part, as shown. The cams are designed to lift and lower the dies during one half their revolution, and the gears .45 are of just twice the size of the pinions 19, so that the motions of the die-block will be in time with those of the carriages 12. 36 is the dieblock, which is inovably seated in the member 37 and is supported by the heads of two large set-screws a, and is held down upon said screws by two inverted screws 5 which pass loosely through lugs c on piece 37 and thread into lugs on block 36. By this construction the die-block 36 may be accurately adjusted to hold the dies (Z, in exact positions. Said dies are mounted on small fingers f slidably mounted on bars 42 fixed upon the block 36. Said bars have longitudinal T-slots, in which are the heads of bolts &3, that fasten the respective fingers in position. Said fingers have beveled inner ends that fit below undercut shoulders on the bars 42. The dies are thus adjustable for spacing the strand-wires.

As shown in Fig. 9 each die (Z is cut with four notches, two of which are adapted to receive a strand-wire 8 and the other two, at right angles therewith, a stay-wire 7, the die having a central recess, hollow, or depression to receive the tying device (not shown). Describing in detail the mechanism for drawing in the stay-wires: After leaving the sheaves 34:, the cable 13 passes lower guide wheels 45 and upper guide wheels 46, at each side of the machine. From the wheels 16 it passes horizontally to the carriages 12. Referring to Fig 9, each carriage 12 supports .a block 47', having lugs on which are pivoted two opposed pairs of wire-gripping jaws, or tractors, 18, each pair, or tractor being adapted for drawing a stay-wire 7 from its side of the machine, across the strand-wires 8, and being so arranged as to increase their grip on the wire when the tension or resistance of the wire increases. 49 are two slidable plungers projecting from a bore in block &7 and pressed outwardly upon the respective tractors 18 by an interposed spring 50. The outer end of each plunger has a concavity (see dotted lines) adapted to receive the end of a wire as 7 when the tractor first grasps the wire. As shown in Fig. 9, there are two staywvire guides 10 at each side of the machine, the figure showing those at one side only. Said guides are supported by depending ears 51 that are secured with screws 52 to the frame side 1, see Figs. 6 and 8. 55 is a tubular rod having a T-shaped longitudinal rib 56 thereon which is slidably mounted in a T-shaped groove in a guide 57 which extends through vertical slots 58 in said ears 51, said slots permitting upward motion of the guide, and normally supporting the rod 55 in their lower ends. The rod guide 57 is pressed down by two springs 56 through the medium of slidable studs 56. The wire guide 55 is provided with two pairs of lateral lugs 59 and 60. Projecting up from the die-block 36 are two pairs of lifting forks 61, arranged to engage the lugs 59, 60 of the respective guides 55 when the dieblock ascends. The lugs 59, 60 will not be in position for such engagement, however, unless the wire guide be in the position of the lower one thereof in Fig. 9. Each wire guide rod extends inwardly from its guide, and has fixed on its inner end a C-shaped piece 62, having its inner surface or end portions adapted for contact with the butts of the tractor jaws 4-8 as shown. A stiff expansion-spring 63 embraces the rod 55 between the piece 62 and the fixed ear 51, thus urging the rod inwardly to the position of the lower one, Fig. 9. In this figure, the carriage 12 is shown as at the outer end of its travel. As it approaches this limit, the parts 48 impinge on the piece 62 and slide the wire guide out to the extent represented, when the carriage stops. During the first few inches of the reverse motion of the carriage the spring 63 causes the part 62, with wire guide 55, to follow the tractor until the inner lugs 59 strike the adjacent ears 51 which act as stops. One purpose of making the wire guides slidable is to insure the grasping of the end of the wire by the tractors 4-8 at every approach thereof. Another purpose is to avoid waste of wire, which would otherwise occur due to the positions of the cutters that sever the stay-wires.

Each wire guide 10 is provided with a wire-clutch 9, whose function is to prevent the wire 7 from being thrust outwardly through the guide 55 by the impact of the stud 49 upon the end of the wire. To this end the clutch is so constructed that the first movement imparted to the guide 55 (by the parts 48 striking the part 62) will cause said clutch to grip the wire, thereby preventing its being pushed into the guide by the stud 49 after the spring 50 has yielded. When the stud 49 first moves upon the Wire, the

wire will yield a short distance, or until the wire is held from slipping in the manner to be described.

Each clutch, 9, is constructed as shown in Figs. 11 and 13. Secured to the outer end of the rod 55, as by a lug and screw 64, is a cylindrical shell 9, having the inner end of its bore tapered. In the inner end of th1s shell is a loosely mounted plug-shaped piece 65, having two lateral lugs 66 that project out through slots 67 cut in the shell 9. Piece 65 has a bore for the wire, registering with the bore of the rod 55. "Within the tapered part of the shell are several steel balls 68 which are pressed inwardly by a follower 69 acted on by a spring 70, confined by a screw-plug 71, said follower also having a bore for the wire. When the balls are in the position shown, they bind upon the wire, as will be readily understood. The loose piece 65 is adapted, by moving against the balls, to shift them into the larger part of the bore, whereby they would loosen their grip upon the wire. The operation is thus: When the spring 68 is fully extended, it holds the shell 9 close against the clutchopening member 65, the lugs 66 being within the slots 67. Thus the balls will be held loose from the wire, permitting the wire to be drawn through by the tractor 48. After the wire has been cut, leaving an end projecting from the guide 55, and the tractor returned to grasp such end, the first movement imparted to the guide will move the clutch shell 9 away from the opener 65, or in other words, the spring acting on the follower will press the balls into the smaller part of the bore, and the opener will yield to this movement. The wire now being gripped by the balls its end will not escape from between the tractor jaws 48 during the approach thereof. When the tractor recedes, the spring 63 expands causing the guide 55 and the wire to follow the tractor until the lugs 59 strike the ears 51, stopping the guide, and opening the ball clutch, as aforesaid, the wire then passing freely therethrough. Supposing the strand wires 8 to be in position as shown in Fig. 8, and that two stay-wires 7 have been drawn across and upon the former; the strandwires are then lifted, by the ascent of the dies d, and lift the stay-wires with them, for the purpose of releasing the stay-wires from the tractors 48. The carriages then move reversely across the strand-wires, and when stopped at the end of said movement, the die-block 86 ascends with the lifting forks 61 and raises two of the wire guides 10 bodily, thus lifting the stay-wires at that as the wire fabric, thus obviating bends in the stay-wires between opposed guides. Of course, the bending that occurs between said guides and the reels is harmless. When the dies descend, the stay-wire guides 10 are automatically lowered by the springs 56". The instant a stay-wire 7 is forced up, by the underlying strand wires, from between the tractor jaws 48, the wire adjacent said jaws is grasped by a pair of jaws 73 (Figs. 8, 9, 10) and held thereby to prevent any slippage of the wire until it is tied to the strand-wires. The jaws 73 are pivoted on pins 74 in lugs of plates 75, secured to the bars 42 on die-block 86, and are normally held open by expansion springs 76 housed in pockets in plates 75. The outer face of each jaw has an inclined surface 73. Pivoted on trunnions 77 is a cam 7879 having two cam fingers 78 adapted to engage the surface 73 and move the jaws together when the portion 79 of the cam is forced downward by the block 47. Said portion 79 is alsobifurcated, and one arm carries a rigid laterally-extending finger 80.

81, in Figs. 8, 4, 9 and 10, designates a weight-bar which rests upon and across all the strand-wires, for the purpose of holding them down out of the way of the upper elements of the tying or stapling devices. Said bar is vertically movable and is guided at each end by a vertical stud 82 risingfrom die-block 36 and passing loosely through a hole in said bar. In stud 82 is a vertical slot 83, through which passes a cross-pin 84 fixed in the bar. In Fig. 8 the die-block 36 is shown as in its lowest position, the pin 84 being now at the upper end of the slot. Then the block and dies ascend, the weightbar 81 will not be lifted until the bottom of the slot strikes the pin, then the said bar will be raised therewith, permitting the wires to be raised by the means heretofore described. Each end of said weight-bar carries a depending pin 85, having adjustably fixed on its lower end a collar 86 provided with lifting-lugs 86 that stand below the fingers of the two cams 7879. Then the dies move up, the ends 79 of the cams engage blocks 47 and are forced downward, thereby closing together the jaws 73 upon one of the stay-wires 7, as aforesaid. As the dies ascend, the stay-wires will be out where necessary as at points marked 88 on Fig. 9, and the short pieces of waste wire will fall, after being released by the jaws 73, through channels 89 into chutes 90. (Fig. 8). The following downward movement of the dies will cause the releasing fingers to drop upon the lugs 86, and the jaws 73 will be spread by the springs 76, thus releasing the severed wire as just described. While the dies are in lowered position, the wire of which the ties are to be formed, is being fed into the mechanism shown in Figs. 3, 4: and 1a. In Fig. 3 are shown two channel-bars 92, mounted upon the carriage guide bars 6 and providing seats for two series of U-shaped guides 93 which are alined with the strand-wires 8. At each end of each channel-bar 92 is an arm 94, and each arm is connected with the lower end of a lever 95, fulcrumed at 96 and bearing an antifriction roller 97 at its upper end, Fig. 6. Lugs 98, secured to the verticallyreciprocating bar 21, have inclined cam-grooves 99 that receive said rollers. The channelbars 92 are mounted to slide transversely of their length, so that when the bar 24: rises and falls the cam grooves 99 will actuate the levers 95, arms 9% and the channel-bars with a predetermined stroke. Each of the guides 93 has upturned ends, having open slots 94:, through which extends slidably a transmission rod 100, on which is fixed a collar 101. On said rod, at opposite sides of said collar, are a transmission spring 102 and an opposed spring 103, these normally holding the collar about centrally of the channel or space. The rod is pivotally-connected at 104: to a member 105, in which are mounted, in the order named: a retainer clutch 106, a feeder clutch 107, and a wire guide 108, all adapted to receive the staple forming wire, 109. I do not claim the construction of these devices in this application, nor that of the stapling mechanism, shown in Figs. 1 1, 15 and 16, therefore 1 shall not describe said details. I do, however, claim herein the above described mechanism for reciprocating the member 105, and I claim the device shown in Fig. 14 by which the frame 106 of the staple die is removably secured to the frame member a. In carrying this out, a broad groove 107 having inclined walls, is cut in the under side of each frame member t, transversely of the strand-wires. In the bottom of the broad groove, is cut a T-groove, adapted to receive the heads 108 of bolts 109 A suitable slot 110 is also cut parallel with said grooves, to receive adjustably, the several frames 106. Each of said frames is engaged and supported by a shoe 112, which has beveled lateral surfaces that fit the inclined groove walls 107 and has a hole to pass the bolt 109, the nut of which is tightened on said shoe. It is clear that the positions of the stapling devices are thus readily adjustable to register with the strand-wire spacing of any fence to be made. As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6, the said rising and falling bar 24-. is provided on its ends with wrist-pins 11%, to which the eccentricrods 23 are connected. After the stay-wires have been fastened to the strand wires, a mechanism shown in Fig. 7 feeds the fabric a step forward, the distance fed being such as to position the fabric for the reception of the next pair of stay-wires. Fixed to the frame sides 1, Fig. 3, are guide-bars 115, having slotted longitudinal ways 116, in which are slidable blocks 117, on the ends of a transverse bar 118. Each end of said bar has a pin-and-slot connection 119 with an arm 120, fulcrumed on a shaft 121, on which is keyed an arm 122, connected with an cecentric strap or rod 123, on the eccentric 21, keyed on the main shaft 17. Attached to the bar 118 by screws 125, and adjustable lengthwise thereon, are a series of feeding pawl brackets 12 preferably one for each strand-wire. Pivotally attached to each said bracket is a feeding-pawl 127. These pawls are formed with depending flanges that straddle the strand-wires, and operate by pushing upon the stay-wires.

The two shoulders 128, seen in Fig. 7, are designed for respective engagement of two staywires. As the pawls move forward they advance the fabric, and as they retreat they simply drag upon the strand-wires. In order to prevent backward creeping of the fencing during said movements of the pawls, I provide holding pawls 129, with mechanism for automatically causing them to tighten their engagement of one of the staywires during the back strokes of the feeding pawls, and to relax or loosen said engagement when the latter come to rest. The holding pawls 129 are mounted like the pawls 127, on slidable brackets 130, which may be fewer or equal in number to those for the feeding pawls. The brackets 130 are mounted on a bar 131 having terminal blocks or shoes 131 slidable in the ways 116. Referring to Figs. 3 and 7, it will be seen that the die-block 36 carries on its front vertical face, a cam plate 132, having an incline 132 at its upper end. Two brackets 133 are fixed to a convenient member of the frame, and serve as guides for two reciprocative connecting-rods 131, each of which has at one end a cam-roller 135 contacting the cam 132 and at its opposite end is connected at 136 with a lug on the lower part of bar 131. The blocks on the ends of said bar extend through the ways 116 (Fig. 3) and have studs 138 to which are connected tension-springs 139 that extend toward the cam 132 and are anchored to lugs 110 on the frame sides 1, thereby actuating the pawls 129 in one direction and holding the rollers 135 against the cam 132. hen the die-block 36 is down, the cam incline 132 is below the rollers, as seen in Fig. 1, so that the pawls 129 are (or may be) out of contact with a stay-wire. hen the part 35 rises, the incline 132 moves the rods 134 forwardly causing the pawls 129 to advance and press upon one of the stay-wires, remaining so until the feeding pawls 127 have retreated; then the part 35 descends and the springs 139 slightly retract the holding pawls.

Inasmuch as the wire cutting devices do not fall within the present claims, the illustration and description thereof has been omitted.

The operation of the machine, briefly recapitulated, is as follows: The strand wires are fed directly from the reels, across the dies (Z, then beneath the pawls 127, 129 and out. The stay wires are fed from their reels through the clutches 9 and guides 10, and project from the inner ends of the tubular rods 55. The carriages 12 start from central positions and move to opposite sides of the machine, and the tractors 48 grasp the ends of two wires. Returning across the machine, the tractors draw said wires across and over the strand-wires. The stay-wires are then lifted at their uncut ends to release them from the tractors. hen the carriages return again, the stay-wire guides farthest from the carriages are raised, to bring the stay-wires to the same height as at the portions thereof lying upon the dies (Z. They are then severed from the wires leading to the reels, and simultaneously a wire tie is automatically clenched about every wire crossing of the fabric. The cut pieces of wire are discharged through the chutes 90. Immediately after each cross-tying operation, the fabric is bodily advanced to a position for receiving the next pair of staywires. The operation of the minor devices, such as the holding pawls 129, the holding grippers 73 and the staple wire feeding mechanism, need not be repeated. The cable-driving mechanism operates as follows: The cams 26 are short, compared with their travel through one revolution, to the end that the cable 13 may be at rest for an ample interval at the end of each trip of the carriages 12. lVhen either clutch 1831 is closed, the sheave 34 thereon is driven by the shaft 17 until said clutch is opened by the cam 26 actuating the shipper 27. The sheave then stops, as the clutch member 31 is lubricated and permits the inner clutch member 18 to rotate within it. hen the opposite cam 26 operates its shipper 27-33' the opposite clutch is closed, and the clutch member 31 thereof drives the sheave 34: in the same direction as the first mentioned sheave, but the cable is driven in the reverse direction. WVhen the cam 26 leaves the roller 29 the clutch will reopen, and the cable stop.

Having thus described my invention what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a wire fence machine, a reciprocating carriage'provided with oppositely directed tractors, each tractor being adapted for grasping and drawing a stay-Wire at each end of the carriages travel.

2. In a wire fence machine, a reciprocating carriage provided with oppositely directed tractors, each tractor being adapted for grasping and drawing a stay-wire at each end of the carriages travel, and an endless driving cable attached to thecarriage.

3. In a wire fence machine, a reciprocating carriage provided with means for grasping and drawing a stay wire at each end of the carriages travel, an endless driving cable attached to the carriage, and automatic means for driving said cable in opposite directions alternately.

I. In a wire fence machine, a reciprocating carriage provided with oppositely directed tractors, each tractor being adapted for grasping and drawing a stay-wire at each end of the carriages travel, an endless driving cable attached to the carriage, and automatic means for driving said cable in opposite directions alternately.

5. In a wire fence machine, the combination of two reciprocating carriages ar ranged to travel in parallel paths, and two stay-wire tractors carried by each carriage, whereby two stay-wires will be simultaneously positioned by every stroke of the carriages.

6. In a wire fence machine, the combination of two reciprocating carriages arranged to travel in parallel paths, two staywire tractors carried by each carriage, whereby two stay-wires will be simultaneously positioned by every stroke of the carriages, and an endless cable operatively connected with both of said carriages.

7. In a wire fence machine, a stay-wire tractor comprising a block, a pair of jaws each pivoted on the block, the points of said jaws being arranged to seize the wire between them, a plunger mounted in said block in position to abut the end of the Wire to be seized, and a spring pressing said plunger toward and in contact with said jaws.

8. In a wire fence machine, a stay-wire tractor comprising a block, and a pair of jaws each pivoted on the block, the points of said jaws being arranged to seize the wire between them, said jaws being so an ranged that the wire may be released therefrom by direct upward motion of the wire.

9. In a wire fence machine, a stay-wire tractor comprising a block, and a pair of jaws each pivoted on the block, the points of said jaws being arranged to seize the wire between them, and a set of wire-sup porting dies having vertical reciprocating motion which is adapted to release the wire from said jaws, without movement of the jaws.

10. In combination, the movable wireguide, the clutch 9 mounted thereon, the clutch-opening member 65, and the stop 66; operating as described.

11. A stay-wire guide comprising a longitudinally movable tubular rod, guides for said rod, a member 62 fixed on the inner end of the rod, an expansion spring for projecting said rod in the direction in which the wire is fed, a wire-clutch mounted on the opposite end of said rod, and means for opening said clutch by the spring-actuated movement of said rod.

12. A. stay-wire guide comprising a longitudinally movable tubular rod, guides for said rod, a member 62 fixed on the inner end of the rod, an expansion spring for projecting said rod in the direction in which the wire is fed, a wire-clutch mounted on the opposite end of said rod, means for opening said clutch by the spring-actuated movement of said rod, a pair of tractor jaws arranged to impinge on said member 62 and shift the rod, and means for open ing said clutch when the rod is actuated by said jaws.

13. In combination, a vertically-movable stay-wire guide, a vertically-reciprocating die-bloclr, a tractor adapted to move said guide before grasping a wire, means carried by the die-block for lifting said guide when the latter is not engaged by the tractor, and springs for lowering said guide to normal position.

In combination, a vertically-movable guide, springs pressing .down thereon, a tubular wire-guide slidable lengthwise in said guide, lugs on said wire-guide, a tractor adapted for sliding the latter before graspin a wire, a. vertically reciprocating die-block, and means carried by the dieblock for engaging said lugs to lift said wire-guide only when the latter is in its normal position.

15. In combination, four stay-wire guides arranged for guiding two stay-wires at opposite sides of a fabric, two reciprocating carriages, two opposed tractors on each carriage, rising and falling dies which lift the wires out of the grasp of said tractors, and automatic means for "aising one of the guides at each side of the fabric to bring the wires to a level when in raised position.

16. In combination, a stay-wire tractor device, a stay-wire gripping device adjacent the points at which the wire is cut, means for releasing the wire from said tractor, means for simultaneously closing said gripping device upon the wire between the tractor and the cutting point.

17. In combination, a stay-wire tractor device, a stay-wire gripping device adjacent the points at which the wire is cut, means for releasing the wire from said tractor, means for simultaneously closing said gripping device upon the wire between the tractor and the cutting point, and springs for opening said gripping device.

18. In combination, a pair of pivoted wire-gripping jaws mounted on vertically reciprocating part, a pawl adapted to close said jaws, springs for opening said jaws, and means for automatically releasing said pawl from said jaws when said vertically reciprocating iart descends.

19. In combination, a pair of pivoted wire-gripping jaws mounted on a vertically reciprocating part, a pawl adapted to close said jaws, springs for opening said jaws, a weight-bar adapted to rest upon and transversely of the strand-wires, means held by said weight-bar ior reversely actuating said pawl, and means carried by said vertically reciprocating part for lifting the weightbar during the upward motion of the vertically reciprocating part.

2'0. In combination, a pair of pivoted wire-gripping j aws mounted on a vertically reciprocating die-block, a pawl adapted to close said jaws, springs for opening said jaws, a weight-bar adapted to rest upon and transversely of the strand-wires, means held by said weight-bar for reversely actuating said pawl, and means carried by said verti-' cally reciprocating die-block for lifting the weight-bar during the upward motion of the vertically reciprocating die-block.

21. In a wire fence machine, a vertically movable weight-bar arranged to lie upon and across the strand-wires, guides for said bar, tractors to carry stay wires across said strand wires, and men is for raising the s and-wires and said bar to cause release the stay-wires from their tractors.

In a wire fence machine, a vertically reciprocating die-block, studs rising there- "from, each stud having a vertical slot; weight-bar having openings through which said studs extend, and lying upon and across the strand-wires; and cross-pins in said bar, passing through said slots.

23. In a wire fence machine, the combination of a reciprocating carriage running parallel with the stay-wires, a stay-i ire tractor mounted on said carriage, a staywire guide in alinement with said tracto a stay wire clutch mounted on said guide, automatic means for opening and closing said clutch at the proper times, and auto-. matic grippers for holding a stay-wire when released from the tractor.

24;. In a wire fence machine, the combination of a reciprocating carriage running parallel with the stay-wires, a stay-wire tractor mounted on said carriage, a staywire guide'in alinement with said tractor, stay-wire clutch mounted on said guide, automatic means for opening and closing said clutch at the proper times, a vertically reciprocating die carrier beneath the wires,

means carried by said carrier for releasing a stay-wire from the tractor, and means carried by said carrier for lifting the wires and the wireguides on the upward stroke thereof.

25. In a wire fence machine, a die-carrier, a bar mounted thereupon and having a longit-udinal T-slot and an undercut shoulder, a series of fingers fastened to said bar by bolts held in said T-slot, the ends of the fingers fitting in said undercut shoulder, and a die mounted on each finger; each die being adapted to receive a crossing of a strandwire with a stay-wire.

26. In a wire fence machine, a rotary shaft, means for driving the same continuously in one direction, two clutch members fixed on said shaft, movable clutch members, cable sheaves fixed on said movable clutch members, an endless cable passing around both of said sheaves, shippers engaging the respective clutches, and rotary cams geared to said shaft and actuating said shippers to alternately open and close the clutches, whereby the said cable will be propelled in opposite directions, with periods of rest be tween movements.

27. In combination, a primary shaft 14, cam-wheels 25 thereon, a shaft 17 driven by the primary shaft, pinions on the shaft 17 driving said cam-wheels, clutch members 18 keyed on said shaft 17, complementary clutch members 31, sheaves 3 f fixedly mounted on clutch members 31', shippers 83 operated by levers 27, rollers 29, cams 26 on said cam-wheels for actuating said shipper levers alternately, an an endless cable pass ing around both of said sheaves.

28. In a *ire fabric machine, a fabric feeding mechanism comprising a bar mounted for transverse reciprocation, oscillating arms pivotally-connected to said bar, a driving eccentric, a connection between the eccentric and arms, a series of pawl-brackets slidably-mounted on said bar, and feedingpawls {DlVOtEtllY-COHDGCtBCl to said brackets and adapted to engage one or more crosswires of a fabric and intermittently advance the fabric.

29. In a wire fabric mechanism, the combination, with a series of reciprocating feeding-pawls arranged in a row across the fabric and adapted to engage one or more crosswires thereof, of a plurality of holding pawls positioned to engage one or more cross-wires of the fabric during the back strokes of the feeding pawls, and automatic means for slightly advancing the holdingpawls to slightly tension the fabric during the said movements.

30. In a wire fabric mechanism, the combination, with a series of reciprocating feeding-pawls arranged in a row across the fabric and adapted to engage one or more crosswires thereof, a plurality of holding pawls positioned to engage one or more cross wires of the fabric during the back strokes of the feeding pawls, a bar supporting said holding pawls and mounted for transverse reciprocation, rods connected to said bar, cam rollers on said rods, a reciprocating element of the mechanism, a cam carried by the lastnamed element for actuating said rods in one direction, and springs for actuating said holding pawls in the opposite direction.

31. In a wire fabric machine, a mechanism for feeding staple wire, comprising a reciprocating feed-bar carrying wireclutches, a slidable rod connected with said bar, a U-shaped guide for said rod, a collar on said rod within said guide, helical springs at each side of said collar within the guide, and means for reciprocating said guide for reciprocating the feed-bar.

32. In a wire fabric machine, a mechanism for feeding staple wire, comprising a reciprocating feed-bar carrying wireclutches, a slidable rod connected with said bar, a U-shaped guide for said rod, a collar on said rod within said guide, helical springs at each side of said collar within the guide, a transversely reciprocating bar on which said guide is mounted, and means for reciprocating said bar.

33. In a wire fabric machine, a mechanism for feeding staple wire, comprising a reciprocating feed-bar carrying wireclutches, a slidable rod connected with said bar, a U-shaped guide for said rod, a collar on said rod within said guide, helical springs at each side of said collar within the guide, a transversely reciprocating bar on which said guide is mounted, cams mounted on a reciprocating element of the machine, oscillating arms actuated by said cams, and connections between said arms and said guide-carrying rod.

34. In a wire fabric machine, a stapling device comprising a frame; an overhanging portion 4- 0f the machine frame, provided in its underside with a broad groove having inclined walls, and a T-slot communicating with the bottom of said groove; a lug on said frame, adapted to fit within said groove and having a vertical bolt-hole in line with the T-groove; a bolt passing through said bolt-hole, its head being in the T-groove, and a nut on the bolt, for fastening said lug in position.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

FREDERICK E. WILLITS.

Witnesses:

F. G. FISCHER, E. C. LILLIAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, '0. G. 

